European Commission reacts to İmamoğlu: Meeting with Hakan Fidan cancelled

The European Parliament (EP) held a plenary session in Strasbourg, France, on the topic of "Democratic Pressures in Turkey and the Arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu."

According to ANKA, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who spoke at the session, announced that she had cancelled her participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and her scheduled meeting with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in response to the arrest of İmamoğlu.

Addressing Turkey's relations with the European Union (EU), Kos emphasized that the country's candidacy process requires adherence to democratic norms. Stating that "legal intervention while preparing to become a presidential candidate raises serious questions," Kos expressed that protest demonstrations should not be interfered with.

EMPHASIS ON EU-TURKEY RELATIONS AND DEMOCRACY

Pointing to Turkey's role in NATO and its geopolitical importance, Kos stated that the EU severing ties with Turkey would have negative consequences for both sides. Emphasizing a strategic partnership, Kos drew attention to the importance of maintaining mutual cooperation.

JPC MEETING ALSO CANCELLED

Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), stated that they could not remain silent on recent developments in Turkey and announced that the JPC meeting planned for April 14-15 had been cancelled.

EP Turkey Rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor argued that Turkey is showing regression rather than progress in its EU process, reminding that democratic criteria must be adhered to. Amor expressed his support for the European Commission's decision not to attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

Dutch parliamentarian Malik Azmani from the Liberal Group criticized the EU for remaining unresponsive to developments in Turkey, while Slovenian MEP Vladimir Prebilic from the Greens Group stated that a clear message must be sent to Turkey.

EP HAD PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A RESOLUTION REGARDING TURKEY

The European Parliament had adopted a resolution titled "Dismissed and Arrested Mayors in Turkey" during another session held in Strasbourg on February 13, 2025. In this resolution, the removal of elected mayors from office without legal justification was condemned, and it was noted that Ekrem İmamoğlu was facing similar pressures. Furthermore, calls were made to end the practice of appointing trustees and to carry out judicial reform in line with the recommendations of the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission.